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DECEMBER 2023
BE SMART, GET RINEHARDT Rinehardt Law | RinehardtLawFirm.com | 419-LAW-2020
The Enchantment of Christmas Stories A TRADITION OF WARMTH AND WONDER
As the festive cheer of December unfolds, it isn’t just the jingle of bells and the whisper of snow that heralds the arrival of Christmas. It is also the soft rustle of pages turning, the hush that falls over an eager child’s bedroom, and the rich timbre of a parent’s voice weaving tales of wonder and joy. For me, Christmas is as much a festival of the heart as it is a season of giving — thanks, in no small part, to the stories that were read to me in childhood, stories I later read to my children, continuing a family tradition that seems as old as time. As a child, I was spellbound by the narratives of faraway lands where snowmen came to life and reindeer could soar. In those moments, nestled between my parents, the world was a canvas painted with the vibrant hues of imagination. Each character danced vividly in my mind, each plot twist a thread in the fabric of my Christmas experiences. The tales were more than just stories; they were portals to a world where every heartfelt desire and dream could come true.
This storytelling tradition did not just foster a love for narrative and myth in my heart; it became a bastion of our family’s Christmas celebrations. It was an intimate ritual connecting generations, an avenue for passing down values, beliefs, and the essence of the yuletide spirit. As I grew up and had children of my own, the magic of these stories only intensified. Through my children’s eyes, I witnessed the rebirth of my own wonder, the timeless enchantment of a well-spun Christmas tale. The stories we choose to tell our children during the holidays are not simply about Santa Claus or presents. They encapsulate the very ideals Christmas stands for — generosity, kindness, love, and the belief in the miraculous. They remind us that the most profound gifts are often intangible; that the warmth of family, the joy of togetherness, and the spirit of giving are the true hallmarks of this festive season. Moreover, these stories are silent witnesses to the growth and change within our own families, markers of time as each Christmas passes. They remind us that while we may age and the world may shift, some things — like the love of family and the joy of shared stories — remain eternal. As Christmas approaches, I invite you to rediscover this enchantment. Whether through the classics that have stood the test of time or new stories that are waiting to be discovered, take a moment to share these tales. Read to your children, your family, and your friends. Let the words fill the chilly air and warm hearts. For in every word read and every story told, the spirit of Christmas is kindled and kept alive. And so, as the holiday season nears, let us turn back to the books that hold the stories of our past and offer them to the next generation. For in these pages lies not just tradition, but a legacy of enchantment that, once shared, becomes the most precious gift of all.
– John Rinehardt
Aaron, Rachel, and Hannah Rinehardt enjoying bedtime Christmas stories in 1996
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DON’T LET YOUR TEEN GET SCAMMED: A GUIDE TO SAFE CONCERT TICKET PURCHASES
Safety Tips Every Buyer Needs to Follow While you may know the tried-and-true signs of an illegitimate listing or scammer, your teen may not. Meanwhile, even the most seasoned concertgoers receive impressively realistic (yet fake) tickets and show up at the venue just to be turned away. For everyone to stay safe, there are some essential rules you should follow when purchasing tickets online.
Is your teen ecstatic to purchase concert tickets for the first time? While they may be ready to hand over their savings to get front-row seats to Olivia Rodrigo or Ariana Grande, they should be well-informed on how to safely purchase tickets. With digital tickets now being the primary format for stadium events, selling counterfeit tickets is easier than ever. According to the Better Business Bureau, reports of ticket scams have spiked from 13,168 to 16,762 from 2020 to 2022 alone. With top-selling music artists going on tour recently, including Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, scammers have taken advantage of younger, inexperienced ticket buyers. These online swindlers use social media like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram to offer ticket deals that are too good to be true.
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Never purchase tickets through an individual on social media or Craigslist. If buying from a person, only do so from someone you know, like a friend, coworker, or relative. Don’t buy tickets with peer-to-peer payment services such as Zelle, Venmo, or CashApp. If the purchase is a scam, these platforms don’t have buyer protection like credit cards. Make sure the section and seat number really exist at the venue.
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Always buy tickets from official websites and double-check that the URL is correct. Some scammers create look- alike sites to fool buyers. If buying tickets from a resale site, ensure they are part of the National Association of Ticket Brokers (NATB), which confirms they are legitimate.
If you and your teen follow these tips, you can ensure they are safely spending their money and will actually see the show of their dreams!
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of children opening presents or the twinkle in Santa’s eye, the visual elements amplify the emotional resonance of the narrative. Creating Atmosphere: The setting of a Christmas story often plays a crucial role, and illustrations set the stage by creating the atmospheric backdrop. Snow-covered landscapes, festive decorations, and warm, glowing hearths come alive through the strokes of the illustrator’s pen. Engaging Young Readers: For younger readers, illustrations are gateways to the world of storytelling. The vibrant images capture their attention and make the narrative more accessible, fostering a love for reading from an early age. As we immerse ourselves in the holiday spirit through the pages of cherished Christmas stories, take a moment to appreciate the illustrators whose creative visions enhance the magic of the season. The marriage of words and illustrations in these books transforms them into timeless treasures, ensuring that the enchantment of Christmas remains eternally vivid in our hearts and minds. This holiday season, let the magic of Christmas illustrations illuminate the joy of reading and storytelling for you and your loved ones.
“The Nutcracker” by E.T.A. Hoffmann, illustrated by Maurice Sendak: Sendak, famed for “Where the Wild Things Are,” brings his unique artistic vision to “The Nutcracker.”
The Magic of Christmas Illustrations
The illustrations beautifully complement the whimsical and fantastical elements of the story, creating a visual feast for readers young and old.
While the words in a Christmas story lay the foundation for imagination, illustrations act as the brushstrokes that color the narrative. The power of visual storytelling becomes especially pronounced during the festive season, as artists transport readers to winter wonderlands, bustling holiday markets, and cozy hearths adorned with festive decorations.
“A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens,
illustrated by P.J. Lynch: Lynch’s illustrations in this edition of Dickens’ classic tale breathe life into the characters and settings of Victorian London during
Books That Bring Illustrations to Life “The Polar Express” by Chris Van Allsburg: This timeless classic takes readers on a magical journey to the North
Christmastime. The attention to detail adds a layer of historical richness to the story, making it a visual delight for readers exploring Ebenezer Scrooge’s transformative journey. How Illustrations Enhance the Reading Experience Evoking Emotions: Illustrations have the power to evoke emotions in ways that words alone cannot. Whether it’s the joy on the faces
Pole, and the illustrations by Van Allsburg are nothing short of breathtaking. The use of light and shadow, coupled with the intricate details, captures the sense of wonder and excitement that embodies the spirit of Christmas.
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RINEHARDT STAFF PICK FAVORITE CHRISTMAS TALES
Melanie: My favorite Christmas tale is really more of a legend than a story. As a child, I was always told that animals have the ability to talk on Christmas Eve at midnight. So, Christmas Eve always had an extra bit of mystique as we left the barn, knowing that the horses, cows, sheep, pigs, and cats would soon be conversing for just that short, magical time. Even now, my mom reminds me every Christmas Eve that my household pets will be talking to each other at the stroke of midnight. Rachel: Growing up, my mom read the Harry Potter series aloud to me and my siblings. Her voice brought the magical world of Hogwarts to life, making the characters and their adventures feel like part of my own world. While the books are not exclusively Christmas stories, the holiday’s enchanting atmosphere at Hogwarts, particularly in “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” reinforced the sense of wonder and belonging that is central to Harry’s journey. Now, I can’t help but associate the Harry Potter books with Christmas, as they remind me of those cozy evenings spent listening to my mom’s storytelling during the holiday season. Hillary: I always loved reading “The Polar Express” to our kids at Christmas. I would always make them a steamy cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows, and I could see the twinkle in their innocent eyes as they imagined themselves aboard the train on a journey to the North Pole! Beth: One of our favorite holiday traditions is going to Christmas Eve early church, coming home to eat dinner, then reading “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” together. Our daughter, now 23, created this tradition as a young girl, and it never gets old. We love the message embedded in this story.
Stephanie: As a child, I can remember my mom and I reading “The Night Before Christmas” every Christmas Eve. The book was a large hardback picture book, and I always looked forward to pulling it out at Christmastime. The poem is how I learned to memorize the names of all of Santa’s reindeer, which can come in handy during the Christmas season! Tina: We have read “The Christmas Story (The Birth of Jesus)” to our children every year at Christmas to remind them of the true meaning of Christmas and to always show kindness, hospitality, and love to others. Courtney: My Nana has a stack of Christmas books tucked away with the rest of her Christmas decorations. When I was little, it was tradition for her to read them on Christmas Eve and my absolute favorite was a book called “The Stories of Santa.” It was a songbook that illustrated the Christmas songs “Up on the Housetop” and “Jolly Old St. Nicholas.” My brothers and I would curl up on the couch with our Nana and she would sing us the songs as we pointed out our favorite pictures. It always got me so excited about Santa coming that night, and even now, at 23 years old, I love to flip through that book on Christmas.
Barb: I like “A Christmas Carol.” It’s a timeless tale with a powerful message of redemption, kindness, and the true spirit of Christmas.
Avery: My favorite Christmas book is a children’s book by Sandra Boynton called “Moo, Baa, Fa La La La La.” Boynton was my mom’s favorite children’s author, so this book was a staple at Christmas. I now get to continue the tradition with my son!
INGREDIENTS Beef • 6 tsp peppercorns (black, white, or green) • 2 tsp coarse salt • 3 tbsp Dijon mustard • 1/2 stick butter, room temperature • 1 cup loosely packed fresh parsley, chopped • 1 (2-lb) beef tenderloin, trimmed Horseradish Sauce • 1 cup sour cream • 2 tsp prepared horseradish (more if you like it spicy!) • 3 tbsp Dijon mustard
DIRECTIONS
WHOVILLE ROAST BEAST SLIDERS Inspired by “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” This is the Rinehardt family’s favorite beef tenderloin recipe. It is a great special occasion treat. For Christmas, create mini roast beef sliders inspired by the feast in Whoville. Use small rolls, thinly slice the beef, and serve with the tangy horseradish sauce for a festive touch.
1. Make the Sauce: Whisk all ingredients together. Cover and refrigerate until you serve. Can be prepared 2 days in advance. 2. Preheat oven to 450 F. 3. Coarsely grind all peppercorns and transfer to a wide bowl. Mix in salt. 4. Whisk butter, parsley, and mustard together and spread over tenderloin. 5. Roll in pepper mixture and cover completely. 6. Place tenderloin on rack in shallow baking pan. 7. Roast until meat thermometer inserted in center registers 130 degrees for rare, about 35 minutes (or 40–50 minutes for medium, 50–60 for well). 8. Transfer to a platter and let stand 10 minutes, then slice and garnish with extra parsley and sauce.
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INSIDE THIS EDITION
1 The Most Precious Gift of All 2 A Guide to Keeping Your Teen’s Concert Experience Scam-Free
The Magic of Christmas Illustrations
3 Rinehardt Staff Pick Favorite Christmas Tales
Whoville Roast Beast Sliders 4 From Your Heart to Theirs: Handcrafted Christmas Cards for Loved Ones
DECK THE HALLS WITH HANDMADE CARDS 3 EASY IDEAS YOU CAN MAKE WITH KIDS!
Washi Tape Cards All you need for this card is a roll of washi tape with any design you wish. Simply cut strips of the washi tape, starting with a longer piece (about 2–3 inches), and place it horizontally across the card near the bottom. Then, build upward using gradually smaller pieces of tape to make a triangle — and that’s it! You’ve successfully created a washi tape tree! You can also draw a tree stump under the longest strip or a star on top.
Handprint Cards This Christmas card variation is a favorite for kids to make and family members to receive. Have your child place their hand on the blank card stock and trace their hand with a pencil. Then, cut out the shape of their hand using scissors. Finally, with the cut-out hand facing down (fingers to the ground), have your child decorate it as if it were a tree, drawing ornaments, lights, candy canes, or other decorations. Pipe Cleaner Cards For this card, you need green pipe cleaners and gold stars (like the ones you’d earn in school). Simply twist a pipe cleaner into a tree shape using a zig-zag pattern to form the widest branches at the bottom to the smallest boughs at the top. Glue the pipe cleaner to the card. Finish with a gold star as a tree topper!
Sending Christmas cards is a great way to tell people you’re thinking of them during the holiday season. However, like everything lately, buying enough Christmas cards for your loved ones is expensive. Store-bought cards can also feel too stiff and formal for our friends and family. That’s why you should consider making Christmas cards this holiday season! It is more cost-effective and a great way to give your cards a personal touch that lets friends and family know you care. The best part is that making holiday cards doesn’t have to be laborious or stressful — it’s quick, easy, and fun! Don’t believe us? Check out these three easy Christmas cards you and your family can make at home. Each card idea is built upon plain white cards!
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